Summer Road Trip ’08
Checking Under the Hood

Day Seventeen
Psalm 19:19

“May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you…”

It’s necessary from time to time to get out and check under the hood. There is a lot going on just out of sight. We are often oblivious to the harmful attitudes and faults that are damaging to our spiritual engine. We need to seek God’s clarity to expose the hidden sins we easily ignore.

And while we’re at it, what about the deliberate sins, the ones that we allow to control our lives?

If you find any damaging debris in your life, take a detour over to First John 1:9-10 and get a quick engine cleaning. We’ll see you back here tomorrow!

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ‘08
Day Seventeen: Psalm 17:4
Safety Measures

“I have followed your commands, which have kept me from going along with cruel and evil people.”

Every vehicle should have a safety manual that should be read. Reading the manual will keep us out of danger. It’s so much easier to do what is right than it is to repair the damage caused by doing what is wrong. How much better it is to avoid danger than recover from it.

Never forget God’s commands are meant to protect us, not limit our happiness. The last thing we need on our journey is cruel and evil passengers sitting beside us.

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Day Sixteen: Psalm 16:3
Heroes

“The godly people in the land are my heroes!”

Life’s journey is meant to be enjoyed. That enjoyment includes the travelers around us. It’s appropriate to appreciate others. It’s even acceptable to have heroes. It’s probably a good idea to have a few heroes.

Danger comes when we pick the wrong heroes.

“Those who chase after other gods will be filled with sorrow. I will not take part in their sacrifices or even speak the names of their gods.” (vs.4)

We spend too much time focused on the wrong kinds of heroes and waste even more time wishing and wondering what it would be like to enjoy the things they live for. The wrong kinds of heroes spend their lives (sacrifice themselves) for little “g” gods that bring only hurt and destruction. The public image that we see is nothing more than a façade, a pretend image.

It’s the godly that are real and genuine. They are the ones who bring real pleasure.

Enjoy the Journey
Pastor Paul

Summer Road Trip ’08
Traveling Companions
Day Fifteen: Psalm 15:1
Happy Father's Day!

“Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?”

Psalm Fifteen is a checklist for travel companions. Look at the list:

Walk straight,

act right,

tell the truth.

don’t hurt your friend,

don’t blame your neighbor;

despise the despicable.

keep your word (even when it costs you)

make an honest living

don’t sell out

(adapted from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language”)

With those kinds of friends, you’ll never fall!

Enjoy the Journey,
Pastor Paul

P.S. Are you that kind of friend?